Best DSLR and mirrorless cameras February 2020

• Best DSLR for prosumer use:

Nikon D850

Dudley-Nicholson recommends the Nikon D850 for the more skilled photographer thanks to its astonishingly good low-light capabilities, as well as its suitability for all situations.

"The Nikon D850 isn't the largest camera that you can get," she says.

"It's not one of those sort of models with a built in grip or anything. So it is still quite travel light, and it's full frame. It has really all of the features that you should need."

If you cannot take a good photo with this camera, then you just cannot take a good photo.

• Alternative choice of DSLR for enthusiasts

  

  Canon 1DX

  Core specs

  20.2MP sensor, 100–51,200 ISO, 4K Video
  Typical price: $8,000 (Body only)

  Dudley-Nicholson says: "The Canon 1DX is very, very fast. It's very accurate, but it is very large. It's what a lot of professionals use because it's so fast and accurate."

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• Best DSLR for beginners:

Canon 80D

Dudley-Nicholson's pick for the starter in the DSLR world is actually an older model, the Canon 80D. She's chosen it specifically for its age, because it means you can dip your toes into the DSLR world at a generally much lower price point, without missing out on key features.

"It's reasonably lightweight," she says. "It takes all sorts of lenses ... And you can definitely take some great pictures with it."

It's got some interesting features like time lapse features that you can use without putting too much effort into it.

• Alternative choice of DSLR for beginners

  

  Nikon D500

  Core specs

  20.9MP sensor, 100–51,200 ISO, 4K Video
  Typical price: $2,100 (Body only)

  If you're feeling a little more confident in your photographic capabilities, Dudley-Nicholson's pick is the Nikon D500. "The D500 is an amazing camera" she says. "It's not full frame, which is why it's got the same speed as the D5, which is the top of the range Nikon. And it's fantastic in terms of speed. It's quite small, and yet it's one of the fastest cameras out there."

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• Best Mirrorless/ILC camera for prosumer use:

Sony A9

Mirrorless cameras are typically favoured by those who prefer a smaller camera body, although you do usually have to forego having a proper optical viewfinder in return. Dudley-Nicholson favours the Sony A9 if you're looking to go small but shoot at a professional level.

If you're going to be shooting sports, or anything professionally, then definitely the Sony A9 is the top of the mirrorless peak.

• Alternative choice of mirrorless/ILC camera

  

  Sony A7R Mark 3

  Core specs

  42.4MP sensor, 100–51,200 ISO, 4K Video
  Typical price: $3,300 (Body only)

  Dudley-Nicholson also picks a Sony as the runner-up in the Mirrorless category. "If you're not totally focused on the speed of the Sony A9, then the A7R3 is a great pick," she says. "It's an amazing camera to use in its own right, with good auto focus, and it's very portable."

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• Best mirrorless/ILC camera for beginners:

Nikon Z6

Dudley-Nicholson's pick for a mirrorless camera for the beginner is Nikon's Z6. "This is a great camera," she says.

It gives you the option to start with something that's relatively basic

"... then building on that later, because they've got many lenses coming out. So if you do decide to grow your photography expertise over time, they'll definitely be available to you."

• Alternative choice of mirrorless camera for beginners

  

  Canon EOS M50

  Core specs

  24MP, 100–12,800 ISO, 4K Video
  Typical price: $800 (body only)

  This is another older camera, which Dudley-Nicholson figures is a better pick if you're not sure that you want to spend loads on a new camera. "It was one of Canon's first ILC cameras so it's available at some quite good discounts. There's the EOS R if you want to take it up a step, but the EOS M is a solid camera with nice mounts so you can use all the lenses if you want to."

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Sony RX100 Mark III

Sony's RX100 family includes multiple models, which Dudley-Nicholson favours for their simplicity and flexibility. "You can't go far wrong because they're so small, they've got so many features."

They're just a really great solid, small camera."

• Alternative choice of travel camera

  

  Panasonic TZ95

  Core specs

  20MP, 80–3,200 ISO, 4K Video
  Typical price: $600

  If the Sony's not your style, Dudley-Nicholson favours the Panasonic TZ95. "Panasonic have a great history of travel cameras," she says.

  "They do some really nice things in terms of automatic modes, picking out scenes for you, as well as an exceptional 30x optical zoom."

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